Adversaries may attempt to access the Cloud Instance Metadata API to collect credentials and other sensitive data. Most cloud service providers support a Cloud Instance Metadata API which is a service provided to running virtual instances that allows applications to access information about the running virtual instance. Available information generally includes name, security group, and additional metadata including sensitive data such as credentials and UserData scripts that may contain additional secrets. The Instance Metadata API is provided as a convenience to assist in managing applications and is accessible by anyone who can access the instance.(Citation: AWS Instance Metadata API) A cloud metadata API has been used in at least one high profile compromise.(Citation: Krebs Capital One August 2019) If adversaries have a presence on the running virtual instance, they may query the Instance Metadata API directly to identify credentials that grant access to additional resources. Additionally, adversaries may exploit a Server-Side Request Forgery (SSRF) vulnerability in a public facing web proxy that allows them to gain access to the sensitive information via a request to the Instance Metadata API.(Citation: RedLock Instance Metadata API 2018) The de facto standard across cloud service providers is to host the Instance Metadata API at http[:]//169.254.169.254.

Linked Issues

Issuelinks
Linktyp Issue
is related to Techniques
is blocked by Detect Access to Cloud Instance Metadata API (IaaS)
is blocked by Limit Access to Resource Over Network
is blocked by Disable or Remove Feature or Program
is blocked by Filter Network Traffic
is blocked by Security, Compliance & Resilience Controls Oversight
is blocked by Secure Baseline Configurations
is blocked by Least Functionality
is blocked by Continuous Monitoring
is blocked by Cybersecurity & Data Protection Attributes
is blocked by Use of External Technology Assets, Applications and/or Services (TAAS)
is blocked by Identification & Authentication for Devices
is blocked by Identifier Management (User Names)
is blocked by Access Enforcement
is blocked by Boundary Protection
is blocked by Data Flow Enforcement – Access Control Lists (ACLs)
is blocked by Remote Access
is blocked by Information Output Filtering
is blocked by Input Data Validation
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